Tell me about where you live.

[miss_lumpy]

I hate it here. I hate Norwalk, I hate Connecticut, I hate the people and the climate and its auto-dependency. And TJ told me last night that if we find somewhere we're both happy, we can visit it a few times then, if we decide it's right, move there. But... I have no idea where to start

Comments

[ieatedyourcooki]

I would love to have you in West Virginia, so I'll write up a nice resume

[miss_lumpy]

Huh. That sounds pretty interesting. The only thing that gets me is minimum wage - it just got boosted up to 7.65 here. How easy is it to get higher than that? Also, what's, like, an average temperature for this time of year? Because I'd be there with my boyfriend who turns into a beast in hot weather - anything over 75, really.

I take it you also attend Shepherd University. Do you know if they have a culinary program/how it is? Because if it's good, I might be able to transfer there for my bachelor's (I'm at a CC now that only does two-year programs) I'm really digging the greenness, though!

Is it very fundy? My boyfriend and I are both pretty eccentric, and one of the reasons we're weary of relocating is that people in nice climates tend to be a bit "YAY GOD :D SMITE THE NONBELIEVERS!!!!!!!!!" and a Pagan and an atheist may not do well there if so >.>

[ieatedyourcooki]

Our minimum gets bumped up to 6 something, but the standard of living is a lot lower here too. You can do more with a 5 dollar bill here than most place. I can get groceries for two people for about fifty bucks. Though lately there's been a bit of inflating

[miss_lumpy]

That sounds perfect T.T; Even checking the Craigslist for the area is cool - someone in Berkeley Springs is rented a 2-bedroom ranch on 9 acres for 1400. You'd be lucky to get an apartment for that around here.

[catsprite]

I can only really speak for the Pioneer Valley area, Amherst, Hadley and Northampton specifically.

Climate: Same as CT.

Costs: I got a sublet last summer for $333. Apartments, if you're sharing with someone, are usually in the 400-800 range per month, it seems -- check out craigslist for some more details: http://westernmass.craigslist.org/apa/. You might be able to find some sublets too for cheaper.

Average/minimum wage: Minimum wage is $8 an hour in MA. I don't know how much higher than that some people will do for starting.

People: Gays, musicians and hippies. Very vegan-vegetarian friendly.

Greenness: Really fucking green.

[miss_lumpy]

Yeah, Marrisa suggested I'd like Mass. too, but climate is one of my major concerns - I really need to be someplace warm. Cold makes me want to kill myself. True story.

[stickonstarz]

New Jersey
Has all 4 seasons (degrees between 0-95ish during their respective seasons)
its a bit expensive. I wont lie but we have some of the cheepest gas.
7.25 an hour
Lots of people. Lots of malls. Lots of Diners (yay DinerS)
We have whole foods and during the summer there are local markets

(Now where i go to school)
Farmville VA
warmer then Jersey. coldest I felt around 35 it snowed once when i was down there. and it gets HOT and HUMID
Its nice and cheep. The school system is crap (this is one of the towns that Brown Vs. Board of Ed happened) but the university is good.
Min just went up to 7.15 i believe.
NO Malls, NO real diners, nice people. Biggest store in the surrounding five countys is Farmville's own Walmart. your greenness is your own garden.Walmart sells organics as does Food Lion and Krogers but there isn't a big selection. BUT there is a Health food store. the guy who works there is awesome.

If the big world out there wasnt calling me, I'd stay. but dont tell anyone else that

[miss_lumpy]

I like Jersey, but I have heard that it's not the cheapest place ever. And I love me some diners! And local markets, win. But the not cheap thing wouldn't be good >.>

That looks nice too - school system doesn't really matter for me because I'm in college anyway. But it'd probably be too warm for my boyfriend. Of course, anything that's cold is too cold for me, anything warm is too warm for him x.x But thank you!

[mind0vermatter]

I'm talking Madison, Wisconsin specifically!
Climate: COLD in the winter and hot in the summer!
Costs: Depends on where you are--it's easier and cheaper to split a place with people. Right now I'm in a gross huge house that's like $350/person (5 bedrooms 5 people) and I'm moving to a smaller, nicer apartment that's about $400-440/person (3 bedrooms) depending on heating. :D
Average/minimum wage: Minimum is $6.50 but most people pay more in my experience.
People: All hippies. Seriously, it's a liberal-ass town. Huuuuge college too so lots of college kids. Plus me.
Greenness: As I say, it's liberal as hell, in the summer we have a weekly farmer's market where you can get locally grown produce and other food, plus stores like Whole Foods etc. There's a pretty good bus system for getting around, or if you live downtown you can walk or bike anywhere (since most major streets have bike lanes).

[miss_lumpy]

Aww, that sounds fun. It's lame that I'm so picky about temperature because otherwise it sounds awesome ;.;

[coqri]

Okay, so I know it's on the other side of the country, and we don't really know each other all that well, but I thought I'd help you in your quest!

I don't like in Portland, but that is the best transit city around so here it goes:

Climate: Rainy...it's the North West, it's what we do here! When it's sunny though it's usually 60+ degrees, and when rainy 50 or below.
Costs: Gas is expensive here, although I think it is everywhere. I think the cost of living in portland is obviously more expensive than a small town, but it's still pretty good. I'm not sure exactly what kind of costs you want?
Minimum wage: in Oregon, it is 7.95 in washington it's 8.07!
People: HIPPIES. Hobos. Musicians. Or office workers...that's how I'd describe P-town
Greeness: Most Bike Friendly City in America! P-town loves being green :) They have plenty of places to get Organic stuffs, I think. They have a Whole Foods or two that's for sure!
Transportation: Trolly system, Max Train (light transit) and Bus systems GALORE!

I hope that sounds neato :)

[coqri]

Oops, I meant to say I don't LIVE in Portland, not that I don't like in Portland XD Lol!

I love P-town!

And after reading everyone elses comments, small one bedroom apartments are usually 600-800 depending on quality and location in Portland.

[miss_lumpy]

That sounds really really nice! And our gas prices are currently around 4.39 - you can still get it "cheap" around 4.20, though. The only icky thing is the rain - I don't really like it >.< But it sounds really nice and temperate, and like it'd be loads of fun to visit, so I'll definitely check it out sometime!

[coqri]

Do it it's way awesome :) Rain does suck, but here's a quote from one of the customers at my coffee shop the other day (she's from California)

"At least the weather changes here! 75+ all the time is nice, but I need some drama! The North West has drama! It's so beautiful."

and I said "it's naturiffic!"